Forget BTTF 4: The Ultimate Sequel to Back to the Future 3 is Already Here!

The Back to the Future series, admired for its near-perfect structure, continues to captivate fans even after decades, leaving some hopeful for another sequel. However, it might surprise these enthusiasts to learn that the saga has already been extended beyond the original trilogy. Known as one of the greatest and most consistent trilogies ever made, Back to the Future weaves a captivating narrative across three films that remains coherent and compelling. The series’ intriguing premise leaves room for further adventures featuring Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doctor Emmett “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd), and the franchise has embraced this opportunity in the past.

The explanation for why we haven’t seen “Back to the Future Part IV” yet is that Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale continue to own the rights to the franchise. Therefore, Universal Studios cannot create a new “BTTF” film without their approval. Despite showing interest in directing a live-action adaptation of the stage musical, Zemeckis and Gale have consistently ruled out the possibility of a hard reboot or sequel. However, they did briefly consider creating a “BTTF” continuation, but not for the big screen.

Back To The Future’s Animated Series Is As Good Of A BTTF 3 Sequel As We’ll Ever Get

Doc & Marty’s adventures resumed in 1991

Despite a fourth “Back to the Future” film being almost unimaginable, director Robert Zemeckis and writer Bob Gale did produce an animated series titled “Back to the Future: The Animated Series” following the end of the trilogy. This series aired for two seasons from 1991 to 1992 with a total of 26 episodes. It continued with the same primary characters, taking Doc and Marty on temporal adventures they hadn’t experienced in the films as they ventured into periods of time not previously explored.

“As a movie critic looking back, The Animated Series seemed to be a clever precursor to Back to the Future Part III’s conclusion in the ’90s. It appears that Zemeckis and Gale were already envisioning the franchise’s future, even during the production of the final film. Although it offers an enjoyable ride, its quality doesn’t quite match up with the feature-length movies, and its scarcity on streaming services has made it somewhat obscure. Still, for those yearning for more Back to the Future content, this series serves as a satisfying fix.”

The Back To The Future Animated Show Actually Captures The Essence Of The Movies

Returning cast members helped nail the tone of BTTF

One might be quick to assume that “Back to the Future: The Animated Series” had a brief run and lacked prestige, implying it failed to meet the standards of the movie trilogy. However, dismissing the show based on such assumptions would not be fair. Instead, it skillfully maintains the same continuity as the films, delivering both comedic and dramatic atmospheres reminiscent of the movies. While it’s true that the series employs a certain level of gimmickry, much like the trilogy does to some extent.

The authenticity of “The Animated Series” is enhanced by the comeback of Christopher Lloyd, who once again plays Dr. Emmett Brown. While Dan Castellaneta provides the voice for Doc during animated sequences, live-action scenes feature Lloyd as the quirky scientist. In a parallel fashion, Thomas F. Wilson returns to voice Biff Tannen, and also portrays various Tannens across the timeline. However, most characters have been recast in this version.

Don’t Worry About Whether The Back To The Future Show Is Canon

It’s better to just enjoy The Animated Series as (mostly) its own thing

The Back to the Future movie series is chiefly recognized as a humorous epic, yet it meticulously explores its science fiction aspects. This means that the time-travel regulations presented are highly logical and almost flawless. These rules have become fundamental in modern sci-fi due to their groundbreaking nature, and most inconsistencies in the Back to the Future plot can be rationalized thanks to the level of detail provided. Conversely, The Animated Series is not as precise in this regard.

Regarding The Animated Series, while it’s chronologically placed after the movies, its position within the main storyline is rather unclear. Even the creators of the series have debated over the years whether it’s a standalone production or a continuation from Back to the Future 3. Attempting to resolve this issue may diminish your enjoyment of the show, so simply watch Back to the Future‘s animated series and appreciate it for the fun and happiness it provides.

2025-05-29 15:17